As seniors age, appetite and interest in food can decrease, but the need for good nutrition remains. Elderly adults require certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in their diets to keep their bodies strong, prevent different medical conditions, and support brain functions. Preparing nutritious smoothies for brain health is a simple, tasty way to include essential nutrients in your loved one’s diet, aiding their overall wellness and mental clarity.

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What foods boost brain function?

Seniors have different nutritional needs that you should try to help them meet as they continue to age. According to recent research, eating a heart-healthy diet promotes brain health by increasing blood flow to the brain, which in turn may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and diabetes.^[01]

Additionally, research shows that nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and almonds can boost natural brain health when eaten with a balanced diet.^[02] Incorporating flaxseed, chia seeds, and coconut oil into a healthy diet can also support cognitive ability due to the omega-3 fatty acids found within.^[03]

Whipping up nutritious smoothies for elderly loved ones is a great way to include memory-boosting ingredients in their diet. Remember, you can always experiment with adding or taking away ingredients to match your parent’s preferences. The following smoothie recipes are a great place to start.

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5 Brain-boosting smoothie recipes

1. Banana cashew butter chia seed smoothie

¼ cup cashew butter
2 frozen medium bananas
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serves one or two.

2. Banana-coconut smoothie

1 cup milk (almond, coconut, or organic cow’s milk)
1 frozen banana, slightly thawed
1 scoop protein powder
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend well. Serves one.

3. Sunshine tropical turmeric smoothie

1 frozen ripe banana
¾ cup frozen diced mango
¾ cup frozen pineapple chunks
1 ¼ cup light coconut milk, plus more to thin as necessary
1 tablespoon fresh grated turmeric (or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth, adding more milk to thin the mixture if necessary. Pour into a glass and enjoy. Serves one.

4. Flaxseed smoothie

½ frozen banana, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1 cup low-fat vanilla soymilk

Instructions: Place all ingredients into a blender. Puree until smooth. Serves one.

5. Chocolate cashew smoothie

½ cup raw cashews
¼ cup rolled oats
3 pitted dates
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 ¼ cup milk (any variety)

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for at least one minute or until smooth. Serves one.

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Bridging nutritional gaps with brain-boosting smoothies

Smoothies for seniors are a nutritious solution for meeting the dietary needs of your loved one and promoting brain health. By including antioxidants and essential nutrients, these smoothies boost cognitive function and may help prevent age-related brain disorders. The options above also represent some of the best smoothies for brain health, providing an easy and enjoyable way to help seniors with nutritional wellness and cognitive awareness.

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References

Moradi, S., Moloudi, J., Moradinazar, M., Sarokhani, D., Nachvak, S. M., & Samadi, M. (2020). Adherence to healthy diet can delay Alzheimer’s diseases development: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, 25(4), 325–337.
Chauhan, A., & Chauhan, V. (2020). Beneficial effects of walnuts on cognition and brain health. Nutrients, 12(2), 550.
Wood, A. H. R., Chappell, H. F., & Zulyniak, M. A. (2021, August 15). Dietary and supplemental long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as moderators of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. European Journal of Nutrition, 61(2), 589–604.

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5 Brain-Boosting Smoothies for Senior Nutrition

Let our care assessment guide you

In this Article

What foods boost brain function?

Let our care assessment guide you

5 Brain-boosting smoothie recipes

1. Banana cashew butter chia seed smoothie

2. Banana-coconut smoothie

3. Sunshine tropical turmeric smoothie

4. Flaxseed smoothie

5. Chocolate cashew smoothie

Talk with a Senior Care Advisor

Bridging nutritional gaps with brain-boosting smoothies

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